China's envoy to the United Nations says the international society should continue to closely follow the situation in Iraq and help the country to be on path of stability and development as soon as possible.

Liu Zhenmin, China's Deputy Representative to the UN, made the remarks on Monday. He says for the past five years, Iraq has seen progress in political rebuilding and national reconciliation, while grave challenge still exists.

"As the Chinese saying goes--Not to advance is to go back. Posed with all kinds of challenges, any stop or turning back is no way out. The only solution is that Iraq coordinates with international society and more effective actions be taken."

Liu Zhenmin points out that China hopes Iraqi government will cooperate with various parties, making efforts towards promoting peaceful dialogue, completing its legal system, speeding up the pace of rebuilding and protecting human rights. He also calls for the UN group on Aiding Iraq to come out with reasonable and practical suggestions.

A senior UN official says the United Nations is now playing an enhanced role in Iraq in accordance with an enlarged mandate authorized by the UN Security Council last year.